The Grangemouth Ineos petrochemicals plant has been evacuated after a gas leak was found in a pipeline.

Around 1200 people work at the refinery near Falkirk. Emergency services are attending a "major incident" at the plant which is now in lockdown.

Eight fire appliances and 40 firefighters are at the scene, along with police.

Plant operators Ineos confirmed that a leak had been found in a pipeline.

The company said: “INEOS can confirm that at there was an incident at our KG (Kinneil Gas) plant today. Staff were evacuated from the immediate area and, our well-practised emergency procedures were implemented, with the incident management team being mobilised.

“As a precautionary measure we asked Police Scotland to close the Wholeflats road. Our on-site emergency response team and the emergency services are attending the incident.

“The incident was caused by a leak on a pipe carrying ethylene gas which has been identified and is being isolated. Measures were put in place to contain the leak in the immediate vicinity of the affected plant and as an ongoing precaution road closures remain in place.

The Grangemouth petrochemicals plant has been evacuated (Image: Daily Record)

“All of the people working in the area have been accounted for and there were no injuries. Other areas within the Grangemouth complex, including the adjacent refinery were unaffected by the incident.

"A full investigation into the cause of the incident is underway. The regulators have been kept fully informed throughout.”

Roads around the area are closed, and schools were advised to keep all pupils in school over lunchtime as a precaution.

First Scotland East Buses has also alerted passengers to re-routes.

They posted on Facebook: "Due To A Gas Leak At Grangemouth Ineos Plant On The Bo'ness Road Both The Bo'ness Road & Forties Road Have Been Closed And Service's 5A & 5C Will Terminate At Grangemouth Town Hall until further notice.

"We apologise for any inconvenience caused however this is outwith our control."

The Grangemouth site is Ineos' largest manufacturing site due to the volume of materials it produces.

It holds Scotland's only crude oil refinery and is responsible for the bulk of fuels used in Scotland.

The products are used in the petrochemical industry to make bottles, pipes, cabling and insulation.